Means for wrapping articles



July 8, 1941. G. NAKAHIRO 2,248,687

MEANS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed Sept. 28', 1940 Patented July 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR WRAPPING ARTICLES 7 Genzo Nakahiro, San Francisco, Calif.

Application September 28, 1940; Serial No. 358,917

8 Claims.

holding means and a'sheet of the tissue paper can be wrapped over and around the article in an easy and simple manner. In accordance with my invention an article is supported to receive the wrapper from a supply from which the individual wrapper is drawn by easy manipulation. This invention is particularly adapted for the handling of articles which have round bases by which a part of the wrapper may be held in place. It frequently happens that the wrapping is desired around part of the article but the base may be allowed to protrude from the wrapper.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to the wrapping of an icecream cone although it is equally applicable to a flower pot, a cornucopia of candies, nuts, etc., or similar article.

When applied to the wrapping of icecream cones one object of this invention is to provide means whereby the icecream protruding above the cone may be quickly and efliciently covered.

The further object of this invention is to provide means whereby such cones may be wrapped in a sanitary manner and so as to keep the icecream from melting for a substantial length of time.

From this specification it will be evident that the invention has the broad object of providing means whereby such articles as icecream cones, flower pots, flower bouquets or other like articles may be economically and efiiciently wrapped.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

. Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved holder for paper wrappers;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22 of Fig. 1 showing an icecream cone supported in the holding means with the upper sheet of the paper stack about to be wrapped around the cone, and

Fig. 3 is a similar vertical sectional view showing the complete wrapping of the icecream cone.

In the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts in each of the figures, 4

refers to a tray preferably of cardboard although wood or metal may be used. The tray is proportioned to act as a container or receptacle for a stack of paper napkins or similar wrappers. Ordinarily, the tray will, therefore, be square.

The tray has side members which extend vertically and intersect at the corners to form upright corner pockets 5. These side members may be the full extent of the edges of the tray or may as shown in the drawing be cut away to leave the corner pockets 5. The corners may be of'the same as the base or other material and integral therewith or attached separately. One corner pocket 6 differs from the other three by having an inward flange 1. This flange is at the top of the corner pocket and extends inwardly parallel to the tray bottom.

Near the corner of the tray opposite from the corner 6 there is provided a vertical cylindrical hollow support or tube 8. This extends higher than the adjacent corner 5 as shown in Fig. 2. It should be of sufiicient internal diameter to form an appropriate holder for the tapering base of the article to be wrapped. The size depends upon the article, being relatively small for an ice cream cone but successively larger 'for a cornucopia, flower bouquet and flower pot.

In this instance also the supporting tube or holder 8 may be integral with the bottom of the tray 4 or attached to it as may be most convenient.

A stack 9 of paper sheets [0 is shown resting within the tray 4. These sheets are apertured or punched near one corner as. shown at l3 in such a way as to permit the supporting holder 8 to project through the stack of sheets. The stack of sheets is held by the holder 8 with the corners within the corner pockets 5, 6. In addition the flange l of corner 6 prevents the accidental or inadvertent removal of the sheets from the stack as otherwise might occur during a slight breeze.

The article to be wrapped for example, an ice cream cone II is fitted in the upper open end of.

the support 8 and takes the position shown at II in Fig. 2. The opposite corner of the top sheet l0 may then be pulled inwardly with the finger and drawn up as shown in Fig. 2. Continuing the lifting movement the apertured corner of the top sheet is lifted up into contact with the conical base of the cone or other article and the sheet I0 wrapped over the protruding contents of the article. In this position the opposite corner of the sheet is brought down around the article or receptacle and the captive end of the sheet into the position shown at I2 in Fig. 3.

In like manner the two side corners of the sheet III are also brought down around the side of the cone. These corners may then be twisted into contact with the cone, held by the fingers or confined by a rubber band or the like.

It will be readily seen that this arrangement provides a novel and expeditious method of providing a clean cover and protection for the contents of the article. Using one corner of the wrapping sheet as a lower fastening and protection around the cone also insures that this corner will remain in place and that only the other three corners need be fastened. The wrapping may be spaced away from the protruding contents of the cone or alternatively may be drawn down tight over the receptacle if other forms of contents make that desirable. Thus it will readily be seen that the Wrapping of a bouquet of flowers will call for a spaced arrangement while wrapping a cornucopia of small edibles will suggest a tighter and more compact covering.

I do not limit myself to the precise details'set forth in the above examples but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly, fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a tray for receiving a stack of apertured paper wrappers, upstanding side walls intersecting to form corner pockets to receive the corners of the wrappers, and a support on the tray for receiving an article to be wrapped and positioning it relative to said stack of wrappers.

2. A device of the class described comprising a tray for receiving a stack of apertured paper wrappers, upstanding side walls intersecting to form corner pockets to receive the corners of the wrappers, and a vertical tubular support on the tray for receiving an article to be wrapped and positioning it relative to said stack of wrappers.

3. A device of the class described comprising a tray for receiving a stack of apertured paper wrappers,- upstanding side walls intersecting to form corner pockets to receive the corners of the wrappers and a support on the tray spaced from one corner for receiving an article to be wrapped and positioning it relative to said stack of wrappers.

4. A device of the class described comprising a tray for receiving a stack of apertured paper wrappers, upstanding side walls intersecting to form corner pockets to receive the corners of the wrappers, and a vertical tubular support on the tray spaced from one corner and extending vertically through the apertures of the paper wrappers.

, 5. A device of the class described comprising a rectangular tray for receiving a stack of paper wrappers, upstanding side walls intersecting to form corner pockets to receive the comers of the wrappers, a vertical hollow tubular holder on the tray spaced inwardly from one corner pocket, and a fiange extending inwardly from the opposite corner pocket, and spaced above the bottom of the tray.

6. A device of the class described comprising a rectangular tray for receiving a stack of paper wrappers, a vertical pocket at one corner of the tray, and a vertical hollow holder on the tray spaced inwardly from the diametrically opposite corner and forming with the opposite pocket a pair of holders for a stack of wrappers.

7. In combination, a tray, a vertical openended member on the tray, and a second vertical member spaced from the said first named member and co-operating therewith and having a material-receiving recess on its side facing the holder.

8. In combination, a tray, a vertical openended member on the tray, a second vertical member spaced from the said first named memher and cooperating therewith and having a material-receiving recess on its side facing the said first named member, and an inwardly extending flange over said recess.

GENZO NAKAHIRO. 

